So, the toilet scene. Or rather, scenes. Yep, we like the loos here at City Homicide. Simon gets biffed in one. Jennifer gets sprung 'venting' in one. Waverley has her own ensuite but likes the equalising aspect of the communal flushes. And yes, one of the highlights for us in that first episode is the toilet scene between Waverley and Jennifer. It provides an insight into Waverley; right now she's in a position of power and is respected for her experience, but obviously she's had to put up with a lot of rubbish from the blokes in the force to get to that point. And that's why she's unwilling to bend the rules to get results - having worked so hard to get there, she doesn't want to put herself in a position where it can all be yanked away.

But times have changed, right? Apart from DSS Sparkes (who's totally still living in the 80's), no one has issues with Jennifer being a woman in Homicide. Duncan's beef with her is much juicier - he can see she's smart and dedicated and highly ambitious. That makes her a threat to him because he's the same. Cue the drama, folks - competitive, ambitious people getting in each others' faces yet having to work as a team to get the job done. You see this happening in all types of workplaces - there's always someone who wears their 'Hey, look at the great job I'm doing!' flashing red bandana every other day. The difference in Homicide is that there comes a point where you have to set aside the egos and remember that you're dealing with people's lives...and deaths. So that's why the Duncan-Jennifer tension is one arc we get stuck into over the next few episodes.

Now Wolfie. In Monday's premiere you got to see and hear what a lot of the characters think about Detective Senior Sergeant Stanley Wolfe. Simon and Sparkes both take the view that Stanley, based on his religion, is going to be judgmental about Simon's affair. Duncan thinks Stanley respects hard work - so he goes back to the office to be seen pulling an all-nighter on the case with Matt. Jennifer knows she would prefer to be working for Wolfe rather than Sparkes, and although she plays her cards pretty close there must be a part of her that's a teeny bit relieved when Sparkes has his heart attack. But you know what? Other people's impressions aren't always right. In the premiere episode Wolfie's all about the crime, but it's going to take a bit longer to get under his skin and realise what does make him tick.

One other highlight we want to mention is the music and sound design of the series. This is one of the last aspects of a show to be completed so even though we might see versions of the show during production, when it goes to air most of us are hearing the polished product for the first time along with the audience. We love Duncan striding into Homicide to the John Butler Trio. We love the fact that there are Australian musicians featured and, without sounding too much like pop talent show judges, we have big respect for our composer Richard Pleasance (remember Boom Crash Opera, folks? That was him.). His music underscores intense scenes and complements the emotions superbly. Plus, we love those whizzy noises when Wolfie turns on the monitors.

The next episode, Lie Down with Dogs features a bit of biffo between Homicide and Armed Robbery (basically Bogan Squad with guns) and a cracker guest cast including Wendy Hughes as a cool lawyer, Amanda Muggleton as a crime king's wife and Vince Colosimo as pumped up DSC Calabrese. Enjoy!

The Creative Team, CITY HOMICIDE